By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 12: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Dato Dr Simon Poh has called on all Malaysians to say ‘no’ to all forms of violence and to instead work towards fostering better understanding and strengthening the bonds of unity across Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia.
In a statement published in Today’s Catholic on Sept 11 in conjunction with Malaysia Day, Poh appealed to Malaysians not to allow prejudice, mistrust, and violence to divide them.
“Let us stand together to denounce all forms of violence—bullying in our schools, child abuse, harassment in the workplace, domestic violence in families, cyber-bullying, extremism, and fundamentalism in society,” he said.
Poh said that Malaysia Day celebrates the coming together of diverse entities of Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia as a unified nation with the aim of fostering an inclusive national identity as Malaysians.
“This rightfully celebrates the rich diversity and unity of Malaysia’s various races, religions, cultures, faiths, and communities, throughout our ‘tanah air’ (homeland), including the unique sounds and cultures of Borneo.
“Coming from different backgrounds, with mutual acceptance and respect, we welcome one another as brothers or sisters of one human family. Let us be bridgebuilders, engaging in respectful dialogue and working for the common good of all.
“As we celebrate Malaysia Day, let us move beyond slogans and words, and translate the theme ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’ into concrete actions,” he said.
Additionally, he called for everyone to commit to living in harmony as they celebrate unity in diversity and strive for a future where everyone is respected, protected, and cared for.
“May God bless our beloved country, Malaysia, with peace, progress and harmony. Selamat Hari Malaysia!” — DayakDaily
